Polarization is underrated. A good ideological fight is just what the United States needs right now for anything to get done, or otherwise the leftists will dominate (because I’m sure we all know that the left isn’t ever going to compromise, so unity entails that the right is the side that does all of the compromising). Unfortunately, I’m not sure that that is going to happen any time soon, because a) those (ostensibly) on the right who are in power don’t have any spine to speak of, and b) the left doesn’t want that (an ideological fight) and it will do anything to prevent it from happening.

I think we actually need to be more divided; i.e. the red states and the blue states need to divorce; irreconcilable differences. You cannot reconcile the liberal left’s desire for unlimited welfare, gun control, and environmental extremism with the right’s desire for freedom and limited Government.

In 1860, our civil differences became so great that the house divided into two nations. The United States went to war with the other nation to force the concept of “a more perfect union” on them. Bloodshed ensued. It was far from “civil.” We were “reunited.”

“Now (2013 as well as then) we are engaged in (…) testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.”

“(T)he great task remaining before us (….) — that we here highly resolve that these dead (of the 1860-1865) shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

The “Civil” War was fought, in large part over the continuation of slavery which was an institution that existed from the founding of the country.

Today, we arm ourselves, both literally and figuratively in our struggle over the fact of an intrusive government which strives to regulate our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor. This emerging government is over the people, for selected people and by the consenting people; all others must obey.

The division now is more stark than the division of 1860. What??? Is slavery comparable to “social justice” in any way? Yes. Slavery and “social justice” are one in the same. Each one is government sanctioned control over liberty, except in “social justice” the government owns the victim.

Now, put down that soda, pay your Obamacare tax and fork over your “fair share” so that “others” may benefit from the fruits of your labor. You work for the state and the state allows you to keep some for yourself. How complicated is that?

I believe that it is his prime mission to make the Republican Party go the way of the Whigs and establish one party rule. I wouldn´t be surprised that he is using Hugo Chavez´s gift as his playbook. If a fiscal crises can be generated on such a scale as to have riots similar to OWS in Oakland, then Obama can declare martial law and probably suspend the Constitution. Behind his smiling demeanor is a wannabe dictator.

The Mendoza wines are great, in particular. I hope you are able to be in Buenos Aires and to get to my favorite restaurant a few doors down from the Etoile Hotel in the Recoleta opposite the cemetery. The family style presentation of superb Argentine beef and exceptional the fine wine experience is a fabulous quiet evening of fine dining that will not break or ruin your budget. Trust the waiter to guide your tastes and forget the menu. Argentine inflation is your friend. Enjoy.

Heliotrope, thanks for writing. We are back in New Orleans, but we were in Buenos Aires for the past week and before that, Mendoza. B.A. is one of my favorite cities in the world and we usually stay in Recoleta. I know your hotel because there is a cafe on the nearby corner of Quintana; I can sit there for hours and watch the people…..For the last several years, we’ve had occasion to dine in the Palermo neighborhoods, both Soho and Hollywood and Puerto Madero-great new restaurants popping up all the time. You did not mention the name of your favorite; is it “Fervor” on Posados? Let me know as we expect to be back in B.A. in March.

P.S. Many years ago, my grandmother used to take me to Alvear Palace for their dulce de leche creme brulee!

Good on you for your familiarity with Buenos Aires. As to the dulce de leche creme brulee, it is a favorite I never refuse in the place that knows the score. I was just at the “Columbia” in Ybor City in Tampa and had their “crema Catalana” which they credit to “Los Caracoles” in Barcelona where I always order it. It was a great match and I get to Tampa more often!

Next time I go to Buenos Aires, I will ask you for ideas! I, too, love Mendoza and have yet to find a disagreeable table Malbec.

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